Tatlayoko Lake fishing

Fishing near Williams Lake, Quesnel and the rest of the Cariboo. See all Cariboo lakes.

Flanked by the rugged Coast Mountains in the West Chilcotin, Tatlayoko Lake is renowned for its wild, unpressured fishery. Glacial fed and pristine, it is one of the premier destinations in BC for trophy bull trout.

Tatlayoko Lake is a big water in the Cariboo, the trout country reached from Williams Lake. It covers 6100 ha and runs to 200 m at its deepest point, sitting at 829 m of elevation. Fish here typically run 3 to 8+ lbs, primarily wild rainbow trout and the stock is Wild Chilcotin Rainbow Trout.

Open Tatlayoko Lake in the app for the 7-day forecast, depth map and wildfire smoke check

Tatlayoko Lake at a glance

Region
Region 5 - Cariboo
Management unit
5-4
Elevation
829 m
Maximum depth
200 m
Surface area
6100 ha
Lake size
Big Water (>500ha)
Species
Bull Trout, Rainbow Trout, Kokanee, Dolly Varden
Trout strain
Wild Chilcotin Rainbow Trout (primary catch), with resident Bull Trout and Dolly Varden also present
Typical size
3 to 8+ lbs, primarily wild rainbow trout
Size class
Trophy Monster (5 - 10+ lbs)
Stocking
Wild Fishery (Self-Sustaining)
Boat launch
Gravel Boat Ramp
Motor rules
No Restriction
Ice fishing
No ice fishing closure on file

How to fish Tatlayoko Lake

Remote, wind-exposed Chilcotin lake best known for wild rainbow trout, with bull trout and Dolly Varden also present..

Troll large minnow-imitating spoons (Gibbs Minnow, Williams Wabler) or swimbaits at 25-60 ft along the drop-offs. Cast large weighted streamer flies (zonkers, bunny leeches) into the river mouth deltas.

Best times of year at Tatlayoko Lake

Getting to Tatlayoko Lake

Gravel road access via Tatlayoko Lake Road off Hwy 20 at Tatla Lake.

Coordinates: 51.5833, -124.4

Boat launch: Gravel Boat Ramp.

Tatlayoko Lake fishing regulations

Single barbless hook. Release all bull trout/char under 60 cm. Daily quota: 1 bull trout over 60 cm (check current synopsis for seasonal C&R).

Wilderness Trophy Fishery (Strict Char Rules).

Always check the current BC Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis before you go. Regulations change in season.

Ice fishing at Tatlayoko Lake

No ice fishing closure is recorded for Tatlayoko Lake, so the general regional regulations apply.

Whether a lake is open to ice fishing says nothing about whether its ice will hold you. Ice conditions vary year to year and across a single lake. Check locally before going out, every time.

Camping and rec sites at Tatlayoko Lake

Local shops and lodges in the Cariboo

Trout lakes near Tatlayoko Lake

Data from the BC Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, the BC Freshwater Fishing Regulations Synopsis, and Sites and Trails BC.